Data recording system for indicating power outage on master and slave recorders

Abstract

A data recording system includes a master tape recorder interconnected to a plurality of slave recorders. Each recorder is adapted to record meter data provided thereto from a meter associated with each recorder. The master recorder includes a timing circuit for effecting the recording of interval marks at periodic intervals on tape of all of the recorders as a time reference for the meter data of each recorder. The timing circuit also includes means for detecting a power outage to the recorders to generate a power outage pulse which effects the writing of a power outage indication by all of the recorders.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. An improved data recording system of the type including recorders susceptible to a power outage condition having data recording circuits for recording data on magnetic tape derived from pulse initiators in meter devices associated with the respective recorders comprising: a master recorder and at least one slave recorder, each of said recorders including a time record circuit having a recording head for normally recording time interval marks on said magnetic tape as a time reference for said data, said master recorder having a timing circuit including means for providing end-of-interval pulses to its time record circuit at periodic intervals so long as power is being supplied to said master recorder to effect the writing of said time interval marks on the magnetic tape by said master recorder's recording head, said timing circuit further including means for detecting a power outage condition lasting in excess of a predetermined time duration to supply a power outage pulse to said master recorder's time record circuit to effect the writing of a power outage mark on the magnetic tape by said master recorder's record head which identifies the time of the occurrence of the power condition and the time interval in which the power outage condition occurred; and means connecting the output of the time record circuit of said master recorder to the input of the time record circuit of each of said slave recorders, whereby the end-of-interval pulses and the power outage pulse generated by said master recorder effect a simultaneous recording of said time interval and power outage marks on the magnetic tape of all of the recorders.   
     
     
       2. The improved data recording system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the time record circuit of said master recorder includes a switch connected in circuit with the record head of each recorder and responsive to the output of the time record circuit of said master recorder to effect the recording of said time interval and power outage marks on the magnetic tape of the respective recorders. 
     
     
       3. The improved data recording system as recited in claim 2, wherein said switch comprises a transistor. 
     
     
       4. The improved data recording system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for providing said end-of-interval pulses comprises a motor driven cam actuated switch which opens and closes periodically to generate said end-of-interval pulses to effect the recording of said time interval marks on the magnetic tape of each recorder. 
     
     
       5. The improved data recording system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting a power outage condition comprises a power outage remember flip-flop normally operating in a set state, a time delay circuit responsive to the input power to said master recorder to reset said power outage remember flip flop upon restoration of power to said master recorder following a power outage condition, a motor driven cam actuated switch which opens and closes periodically, said switch applying a set pulse to said power outage remember flip flop upon its activation at an instant in time after said flip-flop has been reset to effect the generation of said power outage pulse to record said power outage mark on the magnetic tape of each of said recorders.